What was included in the zimmerman telegram

By , British Intelligence could decipher most German messages. What led to the proposal of alliance to Mexico? Zimmermann sent the telegram in anticipation of resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, an act the German government expected would likely lead to war with the U.

For grades , working individually or in small groups, with breaks for class discussion. Approximate time needed is 30 minutes. Ask students begin the activity and look at the first two documents: the encoded Zimmermann Telegram and the partial Decode Worksheet. How do the two documents relate to each other? Discuss their findings. On the encoded telegram, students may notice the series of numbers, a specific date, the places Mexico City and Galveston, and the terms German Legation and German Embassy.

On the decode worksheet, students may notice that numbers are associated with specific terms, that many of the terms are in another language specifically German , and that the places Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are noted. You may share with students that in January of , British codebreakers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt; this is known as the Zimmermann telegram.

After the class discussion, direct students to read the next document: the decoded telegram. February 3, Formal diplomatic relations between the US and Germany end. Wilson was aware of the Zimmermann Telegram.

March 1, Zimmermann Telegram is published in American newspapers. March 3, Zimmermann acknowledges the plot, but argues that it was not hostile because it was contingent on a US declaration of war against Germany. April 6, The US formally declares war on Germany. The tide had turned against Germany within the United States. President Wilson asked Congress to return to Washington for a joint session on April 2, after his cabinet recommended that the President ask for a war declaration.

Zimmermann resigned as foreign minister in August But the telegram's impact on American public opinion about Germany's intentions was a significant factor in the United States' decision to enter the Great War. Toggle navigation.